It’s more than half way through the year so this is a great time to take care of some essential legal planning responsibilities – and you’ll feel much better when you do. Estate planning Many people mistakenly think of an estate plan as something that matters only when they die, but there’s really much more […]
Anyone facing the possibility of foreclosure on their home is in serious financial distress. People in these situations are susceptible to undue influence and can be easily misled into making bad decisions. It’s a sad but true fact—there are many unscrupulous third parties who won’t hesitate to take advantage of someone desperately seeking a way […]
According to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, changes originally enacted in 2005 to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act have made it substantially more difficult for “financially struggling people” to file for bankruptcy relief. While it’s true that changes like these have made it tougher for people to […]
Getting a collection notice in the mail is never a fun thing. But it’s also not a reason to panic. In California and other states, there are very strict rules about the proper way to prepare and distribute a collection notice. So if you receive one, I recommend investigating the following factors before taking any […]
These days, it’s not uncommon for a person to marry someone who comes with some financial “baggage”— that is, with debts or support obligations of some kind. Here’s a fairly typical scenario: Jane comes to my office seeking information about getting a prenuptial agreement. Her fiancé, Frank, is saddled with several types of obligations. Her […]
We use credit for almost everything these day – when renting an apartment, financing a large-scale purchase like a car, or simply buying groceries at the supermarket. But you may not be aware of the fact that all of your credit transactions are recorded and compiled – and that landlords and employers frequently check an […]
As in other areas of law where the courts are involved, in cases of bankruptcy, an attorney is not absolutely required. People often represent themselves in court. Many of the cases I take on are with men and women who have gone that route and been told by either the presiding judge or a trustee […]